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Windows 2000 Audio Playback - Setup Guide

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Benchmark's Guide for Audio Playback using Windows 2000

A simple guide to configure your computer for optimal audio quality

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*this article was researched using Windows 2000 SP4 (5.00.2195). Some information in this article may not apply to different versions of this operating system, though most information can be applied to most versions of Windows 2000. Email us to report any errors or discrepancies, or if you would like more information on this topic.

1 Overview: Windows 2000 Audio
2 Guide to Configuring Windows 2000
3 Guide to configuring media players for Windows
4 Article Outline

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Overview: Windows 2000 Audio

Windows 2000 features dynamic output sample-rates and word-lengths. That is, it will automatically stream audio at the sample-rate of the audio file being played. This is important when you have audio files with different sample-rates. This avoids sample-rate conversion to a fixed sample rate set within the operating system, as sample-rate conversion often causes severe distortion.

Windows 2000 will transmit up to 96kHz, 24-bit audio bit transparently (perfectly, bit-for-bit), when the media player, device, and OS settings are configured correctly. This article will guide you in properly configuring your operating system and media player.

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Guide to Configuring Windows 2000

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Keep all digital volume controls at 'unity gain' (100% or 0.0 dB)

This applies to digital volume controls in media players, Windows Volume Control, or any others

- If any digital volume control is used, we recommend the Windows Volume Control, as it causes very little distortion

We recommend always using an analog volume control (post D-to-A)

Read more about the effects of digital volume control to see why this is important

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Set "Sample rate conversion quality" to 'Best'

If you apply the recommendations in this guide, you should be able to avoid sample-rate conversion. However, it is still a good idea to set this feature.

To set this, open your "Sounds and Multimedia Properties" window from within the Control Panel, then continue as follows:

"Audio" tab -> "Sound Playback" -> "Advanced" -> "Performance" -> "Audio Playback" -> "Sample rate conversion" -> 'best'

Read more about the effects of sample-rate conversion to see why this is important

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Turn-off operating system sounds

System sounds could compromise the quality of your audio (as well as being incredibly annoying!). They will interrupt bit-transparency, and could cause clipping and evoke sample-rate conversion.

To turn system sounds off, open "Sounds and Multimedia Properties", which is located in the Control Panel. Continue as follows:

"Sounds" -> "Sound scheme" -> 'No Sounds'

Read more about the effects of Kmixer, the Windows 2000 audio mixer, to see why this is important

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Keep all DSP and plug-ins turned off

Certain players and devices have various audio effects such as "EQ", "Surround Sound Simulations", "Bass Boost" or "Sound Enhancer". It is highly recommended to disable all of these audio DSP and plug-ins.